Homeschool is the right thing for my older son at this time. That may change tomorrow, or next year, or in 5 years. My younger special needs boy is starting public school this fall to get help with his language delay. (He's almost 3 and won't speak) Public school is the right thing for my younger child at this time. That may change next week or next year. We all try to do what's right for our child. The thing is, what's right for each one of our kids differs from family to family, from child to child, from state to state, from year to year. That's why God gave most of us the courage to do what we think is right, and the wisdom to know the difference. We are all different. The answer to this debate is different for each of us. Good luck finding the right answer for your child._________________That which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.

I should note here, for anyone who may be reading this, that you usually don't have to be enrolled in a public school to have access to special needs help. Maryland seems a bit more complicated, however:

http://www.deafhomeschool.com/essentials/statelaw/md.htmlhttp://www.msba.org/departments/ ...The law requires that a child receive his or her special education services in the “least restrictive environment.” This means that an eligible child must receive special education services with non-disabled children as much as possible and preferably in the neighborhood school. This is often referred to as “inclusion.” The school system must provide extra aid or services if it would allow a child to participate in a less restrictive environment.

So it's possible to homeschool and still get your special needs help, but it looks like there's a heavy emphasis on getting it at the nearest school. What did the IEP people tell you? I'd also be interested in finding out if charter schools can supply special needs help, since you don't have to attend school for those._________________Homeschool Articles - Events - Support Groups

JudyGray, I think you're absolutely right. I have three children, two of whom are homeschooled, one who is regular school. Last year, she homeschooled, too. Each child has different needs at different times in their lives.